Naharnet

Celtic Look to Seize Back Title Lead From Rangers

Celtic have the chance to take the initiative in the title race if they can claim a win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Wednesday.

Victory would take Celtic back to the top of the Scottish Premier League and two points clear of bitter rivals and defending champions Rangers.

Celtic know their destiny is in their own hands with four wins in their final four matches guaranteeing the championship returning to Parkhead for the first time in three years.

It is a long way from where the club found themselves this time last year as they finished a disappointing season under former boss Tony Mowbray trophyless.

However Celtic are in the hunt for a league and cup double in Neil Lennon's first full season in charge - he replaced Mowbray towards the end of last term - after he revamped the squad in the summer.

And his assistant Johan Mjallby says he is delighted with the team's improvement this season.

"We are just so happy that we have really improved this team," Mjallby said.

"With 11 or 12 new signings, we knew it was a wee bit of a worry if we would be able to get them to gel so quickly, but I think we have done a good job and the players have been a credit to themselves.

"I would probably have been happier if we were eight points ahead right now and I could take it easy and relax a bit.

"But that's why you are working at this club - you want to be in the spotlight and working at a club with a chance to win titles.

"We know it's probably going to go all the way so it's up to us to just concentrate on ourselves and try to win these four games."

Inverness have run Celtic close in their two previous league encounters, a narrow 1-0 defeat and a 2-2 draw at Parkhead in November.

Lennon knows his side will be facing a tough challenge.

"It's a huge game for us, in the context of the season," he said.

"And it will be good psychologically if we can go top of the table at this stage.

"But every game is important psychologically from here on in.

"We've played well at Inverness on the previous two visits there.

"They have played well against us also, and Terry Butcher will have them well motivated.

"But we've got a bigger picture in front of us, and the players will be very focused."

Celtic, who now face three away games in a row, will be without Joe Ledley who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Source: Agence France Presse


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